Dobbs departs CNN, vows to stay engaged in issues

November 12, 2009|By Phil Rosenthal

Lou Dobbs, whose views on immigration roiled controversy, has exiled himself from CNN.

The longtime CNN anchor announced on his TV show Wednesday that he's leaving the cable network he helped launch in 1980 and, save for a two-year stint with the Web site Space.com, has worked at ever since.

Wednesday's edition of "Lou Dobbs Tonight" was Dobbs' last at CNN. Although his contract was to run for a little more than two additional years, he told viewers CNN agreed to let him out of his contract.

Dobbs left open the possibility he might not be moving to another TV outlet but vowed to remain engaged in the issues he has championed over the years as he evolved from a traditionally neutral newscaster at CNN into an outspoken commentator who was often at odds with his bosses.

"Over the past six months, it's become increasingly clear that strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country and affecting all of us," Dobbs said early in the program. "Some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving, as well as to contribute positively to a better understanding of the great issues of our day, and to continue to do so in the most honest and direct language possible."

Although it was rumored even before Dobbs announced his CNN exit that he might end up in some capacity with News Corp.'s Fox News Channel or Fox Business Network, a spokeswoman for both cable networks said they "have not had any discussions with Lou Dobbs" for those outlets.

Dobbs said only that he was "considering a number of options and directions, and I assure you I will let you know when I set my course."

With oft-stated perspectives on hot-button issues such as illegal immigration and taxpayer bailouts, Dobbs stood in sharp relief to much of the rest of CNN, where he was the most outspoken personality. Since March 2008, his views have been amplified further through a nationally syndicated radio program. On the radio, Dobbs spoke frequently of the conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama somehow was not a U.S. citizen.

Roberto Lovato, co-founder of the advocacy group Presente.org, said in a quickly issued statement that Dobbs did not belong on CNN and his group was "thrilled that Dobbs no longer has this legitimate platform from which to incite fear and hate."

Dobbs' exit comes as CNN President Jon Klein has sought to downplay lagging ratings by saying more popular rivals such as Fox News Channel, which forged its identity through its commentary programs, "are in a completely different business than we are."

Klein earlier this month told the Los Angeles Times: "We are not putting out the same product as they are. And we shouldn't be compared to them on that account."

Before launching "Lou Dobbs Tonight" in June 2003, Dobbs anchored "The Moneyline News Hour with Lou Dobbs." He rejoined CNN in May 2001 after two years away working on an Internet startup. Dobbs was a CNN anchor in New York when the network launched 29 years ago and was in charge of CNN's business news programming for its first 19 years, serving on its executive committee from 1989 to 1999.

"For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirelessly pursued some of the most important and complex stories of our time, often well ahead of the pack," Klein said in a statement. "With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere. We respect his decision and wish him, Debi, and his family the very best."